Crisis in A level mathematics

Twenty-nine per cent of candidates failed AS level mathematics in the summer of 2001. This failure rate is in contrast to a failure rate of 13% across all AS subjects. The immediate consequence is that the number taking A level mathematics in 2002 will be reduced significantly from last year’s figure. The image of mathematics as a relatively difficult subject has been reinforced, acting as a deterrent to would-be students in the future. Whatever action is taken in the short term, it is hard to see that it can have a significant effect on the number taking A level mathematics in 2003…